LECTURE OF UNEP'S 2007 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH SEC. BEBET GOZUN

This is a news clipping of UNEP's 2007 Champion of the Earth Awardee Secretary Bebet Gozun lecture held on 15 March 2007 at U.P.-NCPAG organized by yours truly. See earlier posting.

DENR leadership self-assessed in NCPAG anniversary event

Bernice P. Varona

Source: http://www.up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?i=402&archive=yes&yr=2007&mn=4 On March 15, 2007, as part of the continuing public lecture series in celebration of the UP National College of Public Administration (NCPAG)’s 55th anniversary in June 2007, the NCPAG held a special lecture featuring the experiences of Eli-sea “Bebet” Gozun during her term as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Titled “Reflections on Environmental Leadership in the Philippines: Triumphs and Tribulations,” Secretary Gozun’s lecture tackled several pressing issues, such as illegal logging in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; deforestation in the Samar Island National Park; and even the unjust incarceration of one of DENR’s foresters. “You have to know the economic stand and the social side of the people. You need to address all of the issues in every decision you make,” Secretary Gozun said. She also indicated that incentive mechanisms and promotion systems for those in government service should be reviewed. Ensuring continuity in implementing programs, especially those dealing with sustainable development, is what she considers an important factor in conservation and protection efforts. “Environmental leadership is really a difficult balancing act. It’s not just the environment that we are looking out for, but also the social and economic aspect of that development,” said Secretary Gozun. “We cannot have long term economic development unless we protect the environment, and on the other hand the environment will really suffer if we do not have economic development.” She also stressed the importance of making the environment everyone’s concern: “Environmental protection and management is not really the role of the DENR. The only way we can move sustainable development is to make it every-one’s concern. But that cannot happen if we do not inform the people, if we do not bring the issue of the environment closer to the people.” Secretary Gozun is a recipient of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) “2007 Champions of the Earth” award for leadership in various World Bank projects, such as the establishment of the ECOWATCH program, an innovative public disclosure program about the environmental performance of key industries; and the “Brown Fund,” the first tripartite funding source for local urban environmental initiatives. The award recognizes prominent and inspirational environmental leaders from each region of the world. Another recipient is US Vice President Al Gore, who will be recognized by UNEP on April 19, 2007 in Singapore. Previous awardees include the King and people of Bhutan, South African President Thabo Mbeki, UAE Sheikh Zayad Bin, Sultan Al-Nahyan, Iran’s female Vice President Dr. Massoumeh Ebtekar, and former USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev for Green Cross International. “Secretary Gozun’s commitment to public service and her passion for the environment have given her the energy to overcome obstacles, establish believers, and create alliances,” said Dr. Alex Brillantes, Dean of the UP National College of Public Administration (NCPAG) during his welcome remarks. She has brought honor not only to the Philippines, but to the cause of environmental governance in general, said Dr. Brillantes.